I grew up in the 60s & JFK became & remains my hero. JFK+50 highlights the key events relating to JFK in an "on this day in history" format & includes other events in US & world history. The daily postings read as if published in a newspaper on the day of the event.

"It was just so hopeless (but) I was in Newport...& (Jack) called me at 5 o'clock in the morning. I was so touched....because he just wanted to talk, &...said, 'Oh, my God!'

You wouldn't realize what it had been like....the tear gas started to run out & the troops that were meant to get there in an hour were still 4 hours away. And I guess it was just one of the worst nights of his whole life."

Mr. Schlesinger wants to know if the civil rights "thing" is something he talked much about.

Mrs. Kennedy says:

"It was over such a long period, & there were always--all the Barnetts & then the (Governor George) Wallaces, & I mean one...awful problem after another."

Arthur Schlesinger asks:

"What did he think of the Negro leaders? Martin Luther King, for example?"

She responds:

"Well, (Jack) said what an incredible speaker (King) was during that freedom march."

Mrs. Kennedy continues....

"Then he told me of a tape that the FBI had of...King when he was here for the freedom march. And he said this with no bitterness...how he was calling up all these girls....

I said 'Oh, but Jack, that's so terrible (but) he would never judge anyone in any sort of way....he never really said anything against Martin Luther King."

She adds...

"I know at the time of the freedom march when (all the civil rights leaders) came into his office....he was touched by Philip Randolph.**

*Ross Barnett (1898-1987) was Mississippi's governor from 1960 to 1964. In Sept 1962, JFK & Bobby talked with him over the telephone to allow the peaceful admittance of James Meredith, the 1st African-American student to enroll at Ole Miss.

The Kennedys got nowhere with Barnett & JFK had to send in the army to put down the riots.

JFK Library Image

**A. Philip Randolph (1889-1979) was chief of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters & one of the organizers of the March on Washington.

JFK+50 MEMBERS

WHY JFK SHOULD BE IN THE NATIONAL SAILING HALL OF FAME

The nomination of President John F. Kennedy in 2017 during his 100th birthday celebration would benefit the NSHOF and Sailing. I believe the nomination of a popular president and naval hero would promote sailing. Several history and sailing experts have shown enthusiasm for JFK to be part of the NSHOF.

Good Wind, Good Sailing,

Jim Malone

JFK+50 TOURS

HISTORIC COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CHARLESTON

Charleston, South Carolina (JFK+50) JFK+50 is back in the Holy City and yesterday we had the opportunity to take a tour of the historic City Council Chamber. Docent Lindsay M.P. Barrios did a masterful job as our tour guide.

A TRIBUTE TO JFK BY THEODORE H. WHITE

"He made Americans realize that they were a young people--& youth is hope. In his brief moment, he had given America belief, as well as hope."

From The World Book's 1964 Yearbook Special Report

IN MEMORY OF RAY F. WHITE

UNCLE RAY,"Dad,The Tomato Man,"the inspiration for JFK+50, died on May 9, 2012 at the age of 98. On his daily posts, Dad wrote..."Time is so precious--do not waste it living for yourself but give a little of your time to others."